USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume VI > Part 48
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Ergrayed by Campbell NoY.
John B. Vaughan
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Arnold as president. This company, formed in 1925, deals almost exclusively with the development of sub-divisions and is respon- sible for some of the lovely suburbs that are being formed around the outskirts, and the officers are experienced realtors whose Integrity and sound judgment has gained for them in a distinct measure, the public's confidence, withont which no exploitation can survive. With the highest civic ideals and with a personal reputation of honorable dealing throughout his business career, Mr. Arnold's company promises to become even- tually one of the sound financial props of the economic structure of the city. Mr. Arnold outside of his own wide business interests, is one of the directors and one of the organizers of the Anthracite Mutual Building and Loan Association; one of the founders of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at Kingston, and a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Shekinah Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons; and of the Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar. For some time he belonged to the drum corps and was president of the group.
In 1912, Spencer E. Arnold married Florence Walters, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Walters, of Wilkes-Barre. They have had two children, Luther D., born in June, 1915, and Spencer W. who was born in June, 1917.
EDWARD STANLEY SHEPHERD-A de- scendant of Matthew Shepherd who came to this country from England, before the American Revolution, Edward Stanley Shep- herd of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, stands today as a notable representative of that family whose history is so interwoven with the history of the State of Pennsylvania. When Matthew Shepherd first came to this country, he settled in Philadelphia and estab- lished himself in trade there. His descend- ants were noted for good fighting in the cause of liberty and for good trading in the com- mercial side of the building of the country. The records of individuals of this family are worthy of note for in all things they have proved themselves thorough, painstaking, persevering and successful men. Matthew Shepherd was a linen weaver and in 1773, on March 13, he married Jane Johnson. They had eight children, from whom come the various branches of the family.
Matthew Shepherd, the third child of Mat- thew and Jane (Johnson) Shepherd, married Anna Yeager, a member of one of the oldest and most highly respected German families in the State of Pennsylvania. They had four children, the youngest, William Henry Shep- herd, of whom further, was the father of Edward Stanley Shepherd.
William Henry Shepherd founded the Shep- herd Construction Company which, since 1870, has been well known throughout all North- eastern Pennsylvania. He was noted as a remarkably versatile man who disproved the old saying that a Jack of all trades is good at none, for he was successful at his many trades. He was a school teacher, an account- ant and a mechanic. Among his accomplish- ments was the knowledge of gas-fitting and it is said that he was probably the first one versed in this craft in Wilkes-Barre, where he came to live in 1855. His contracting business was first established under the name of Shepherd and Dalley, but after a year, he became sole owner and later took into partnership his two sons, William C. and Harry C. Shepherd, and the business was known as W. H. Shepherd and Sons. He was a Republican in politics and a Past Master of the Landmark Lodge, No. 442, Free and
Accepted Masons; thirty-second degree member of the Caldwell Consistory of Blooms- burg, Pennsylvania; and of the Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and a member of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade. During the Civil War, Mr. Shepherd was active in military service in Company E, 1st Regiment, Gray Reserves, of Philadelphia. His example of citizenship, loyalty, and business acumen have ever been an inspiration to his sons who are diligent in carrying on the business their father founded. In January, 1859, William Henry Shepherd married Lydia A. Ziegler, daughter of Amos Ziegler, of Zieglerville, Pennsyl- ania. They had seven children.
Edward Stanley Shepherd, fifth child of William Henry and Lydia A. (Ziegler) Shep- herd, was born in Wilkes-Barre, June 19, 1871. Both parents are now deceased. His early education was in the Franklin Gram- mar School of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, until the age of fifteen years, when he entered the Harry Hillman Academy and graduated from there in 1889. After finish- ing his school education, he learned the trade of a carpenter in his father's establishment and followed this line of work for three and one half years. At the end of this time, he was taken into the office in a confidential capacity and has continued in the executive end of the business ever since. For thirty- five years he has been paymaster and sec- retary of the business and has cooperated with his brothers in keeping it up to the standard which his father set in all work done by his company. He is an earnest and zealous Republican and votes a straight ticket in favor of all nominees of his party. For many years he was very active in the organ- ization of Patriotic Order Sons of America. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of Wilkes-Barre.
In Montrose, Pennsylvania, Edward Stanley Shepherd married Helen Newton Aitken, daughter of James and Fanny (Stark) Aitken, the marriage occurring on May 19, 1897. Mrs. Shepherd's father, James Aitken, de- scended from one of the earliest Scotch fam- ilies to settle in Susquehanna County. They had four children, two of whom are living: 1. Ruth Aitken, wife of James Malcolm Hutchison, of Wilkes-Barre. 2. Stanley Ait- ken, educated in the public and high schools of Wilkes-Barre, followed by a commercial course in the Wyoming Seminary at King- ston, Pennsylvania, and later he had one year at Syracuse University of New York State. He served in the United States Army during the World War and now holds a responsible position with the Wilkes-Barre Deposits and Savings Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He married Myrtle Keiser, daughter of R. M. Keiser of Wilkes-Barre. and they have two children, Louise and Roberta.
JOHN BENNETT VAUGHN-A prominent member of a distinguished family, his ances- tors having come to Kingston, Pennsylvania, from New England in 1828, John Bennett Vaughn is also one of the leading citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, holding a heritage of New England high Christlan ideals. His father, Stephen Buckingham Vaughn, was a descendant of distinguished Connecticut and Rhode Island ancestors, notable In Revolutionary, civic, church and educational affairs. The first of the family, Jonathan Vaughan, came from England in 1638 and was granted land and built his home at Newport, Rhode Island.
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Stephen Buckingham Vaughn was the only child of Stephen and Fanny (Buckingham) Vaughn, born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1833. He died in Kingston, June 26, 1905. He married, December 5, 1866, Marion Wallace Preston, daughter of Colonel Joseph Tyson Preston and Sarah Ann (Espy) Preston, of Philadelphia and Kingston. Stephen Buckingham Vaughn lost his mother when he was four months old and was reared by his aunt, Matilda (Buckingham) Bennett, wife of John Bennett. He received his educa - tion at Presbyterian Institute, Luzerne Acad- emy at Troy also at Wyoming Seminary. For more than thirty years he was a director of the Central Poor District of Luzerne County, receiving no compensation for the work dur- ing all the years in which he administered it. For more than twenty years he was a direc- tor of the Forty Fort Cemetery Association. He was a member of the Dorranceton Council from its organization. He was a director of the Wilkes-Barre and Kingston Bridge Com- pany, and director and vice-president of the Wilkes-Barre and West Side Railway Com- pany until it was merged with the Traction Company. He was a member of Kingston Lodge of Masons; was Past Eminent Com- mander, Dieu le Veut Commandery, of Knights Templar, and had attained a Masonic thirty-second degree. He was for years one of the managers of the Luzerne County Humane Association and belonged to the Malt and Westmoreland clubs. He was a man of great heart, an unfailing friend of rich or poor, with an ever open hand for the needy or suffering, a Christian gentleman of unfalter- ing rectitude, and courtesy of demeanor. John Bennett, the uncle of Stephen Bucking- ham Vaughn, for whom John Bennett Vaughn is named, was born April 25, 1790, a son of Andrew, and grandson of Thomas Bennett, who came with his family to Kingston in 1769, as one of the forty settlers who founded and built Forty Fort. Thomas Bennett with his son, Andrew, and Lebbus Hammond, was captured by the Indians after the battle July 3, 1778, and was carried away. The three arose one night, killed their captors and took away with them arms of the savages. John Bennett was of splendid physique, tall and commanding presence, with great vitality and endurance. He owned an extensive farm and was a practical surveyor, a fine mathe- matician and a member of the Masons. He was a canal commissioner of Pennsylvania and built the North Branch Canal from Sun- bury to Wilkes-Barre. His death occurred February 10, 1863.
John Bennett Vaughn born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1873, is the son of Stephen Buckingham and Marion Wallace (Preston) Vaughn. He received his education at Miss Widnall's School In Kingston, Wilkes- Barre Academy in WIIkes-Barre, the Pennsyl- vania Military College, in Chester, Pennsyl- vania, and Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, class of 1895. Since college he has been engaged in various enterprises here. In 1901 he opened the first New York Stock Exchange brokerage office in Wilkes-Barre, disposing of same in 1906 and has since been active in the conduct of Vaughn Lumber Company, with headquarters at No. 700 Wyo- ming Avenue, Kingston, also conducting a hardware business at the same place and under the same name. He is a director, and secretary of the board of the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre, a director of the Vul- can Iron Works, manufacturers of locomo-
tives and mine machinery, a director of the United Charities and Luzerne County Humane Association, a trustee and secretary and treasurer of the Forty Fort Cemetery Asso- ciation, a director of the Wilkes-Barre Branch of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, a trustee and a vice-president of the Nesbitt Memorial Hospital. He is a dea- con and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of the Westmoreland Club and the North Moun- tain Club of Wilkes-Barre, and the Princeton Club, of New York. His real estate and in- surance business in which he is now engaged is one of the most important in the city. His home is in the old Vaughn homestead at No. 834 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston.
W. H. SPANGLER-While he has been a resident of Wilkes-Barre for only a few years, W. H. Spangler, treasurer of the Wyoming Valley Trust Company, is a native Pennsylvanian and comes of an old Amer- ican family. Probably few men in the State have the wide personal acquaintance among bankers that he enjoys; and his experience as Federal and State examiner has given him a broad insight into banking theory, methods and practice that few men can hope to attain. Such knowledge is of great value to any community, and Mr. Spangler's com- ing to Wilkes-Barre was hailed as a most important acquisition to its group of able financiers.
W. H. Spangler was born on a farm on the Gettysburg battlefield, near the town of that name, June 17, 1892. son of John C. and Sarah Alice (Slaybough) Spangler. Any- one who looks up the early lives of those men who are entitled to representation in "Who's Who" is struck at once with the large proportion of them who began their lives on farms. At a very early age the farmer's boy is taught to depend upon his own initiative; by precept and example he is taught the lessons of industry; his mind is not distracted by the many frivolities that clamor for the city lad's attention, and he learns to think, to meditate and consider- all a valuable preparation for those condi- tions of mature life to which the term "battle" is not misapplied. Mr. Spangler was the second in a family of three children, his sisters being Wilda M., wife of J. H. Bow- man, Jr., a contractor of Harrisburg, and E. Belle, who is unmarried and resides on the homestead with her parents.
Young Spangler grew up on the home farm, doing, when not attending school, his share of the work according to his years and strength. After completing the courses in the public schools of Adams County he got his elementary business training in a com- mercial college. Thus prepared he secured a position with the Pembroke National Bank, at Pembroke. That was on October 31, 1910. He remained there until January 5, 1914, and during those years filled the positions of clerk and bookkeeper. On the date last mentioned he accepted a position as teller with the Merchant's National Bank in Har- risburg and continued in that capacity until March 1, 1917, when he received an appoint- ment as an assistant National bank exam- iner for the Third Federal Reserve District with headquarters at Philadelphia. It was not long after that that the United States entered the world War, and on September 20, 1917, Mr. Spangler joined the 316th Infantry of the 79th Division and was located at Camp Mead until July 7 of the following year. He was then sent overseas and served on the front at
WillingPack
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the Meuse-Argonne offensive and in the St. Mihiel sector. On November 1 Mr. Spangler was sent to the hospital, where he remained until December 18, 1918, when he sailed for home and was mustered out at Camp Dix on January 30, 1919. He then returned to Philadelphia to take up again the duties of his old position as assistant National bank examiner. His excellent work and courteous methods in this position earned for him a wide and favorable reputation, and brought from his old employer, the Merchant's Na- tional Bank in Harrisburg, an invitation to become its cashier. The offer was accepted and Mr. Spangler assumed his duties on November 15, 1919. He remained in that posi- tion just over four years, resigning on December 1, 1923 to become State examiner for the Pennsylvania Banking Department. Later he was advanced to the position of chief examiner for the then new Wilkes- Barre District. Mr. Spangler continued in that office until July 1, 1927 when he became treasurer of the Wyoming Valley Trust Com- pany in Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Spangler is a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second degree, holding member- ship in Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, Free and Accepted Masons of Harrisburg and Har- risburg Consistory. He is a member of the Lions' Club of Wilkes-Barre. He is identified with the Republican party.
On November 15, 1919, Mr. Spangler mar- ried Helen Donecker, daughter of W. K. Donecker of Downingtown. This union has been blessed with a daughter, Beatrice Helen.
J. B. TAMBLYN-For twenty-seven years J. B. Tamblyn has been identified with the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, of Wilkes-Barre, and during that time he has held numerous responsible positions. Since January, 1928, he has been assistant general manager of the concern, and in that place of trust he is proving that he is well able to meet the demands of his special province. Mr. Tamblyn is well known in the Masonic Order and is a member of the American Insti- tute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers.
Thomas Tamblyn, father of Mr. Tamblyn, was for many years a postman in Wilkes- Barre. He and his wife, Jane, now deceased, were the parents of two sons: 1. J. B., of further mention; and Ronald W., who is in the employ of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, of Wilkes-Barre.
J. B. Tamblyn was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1882. He attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre, graduating from the high school with the class of 1898, and then secured a position as bookkeeper in the employ of Gannon and Millett, of Wilkes-Barre. Meantime, he was studying engineering under the direction of Interna- tional Correspondence Night Schools, at Wilkes-Barre, and in 1901 he began his long connection with the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, with whom he has remained continuously. His first position was as sur- veyor. Later, he was made division engineer, then superintendent of the colliery, and finally, in January, 1928, he was appointed assistant general manager of the plant. He is a member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, and is known as a man of more than average ability in his field. His long connection of more than twenty-seven years of continuous service with this company has made him skilled in many departments of its work, and his loy- alty to the company and its interests has
been much appreciated. Fraternally, he Is identified with Lodge No. 61, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Wilkes-Barre; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, Royal Arch Masons; Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, Knights Temp- lar; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and with Irem Country Club. He is also a member of the Craftsmen's Club. A good citizen and a loyal friend, Mr. Tamblyn has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been assocl- ated, and he is one of the many successful men of this city who have begun at the low- est round of the ladder of success and made his own way in life.
J. B. Tamblyn was married, November 4. 1903, to Blanche Palmer, who died January 16, 1925. Mrs. Tamblyn was a woman of devout Christian character, much loved by her many friends, and greatly devoted to her family. Mr. and Mrs. Tamblyn became the parents of three children: Ralph, Leonard, and Jack. Mr. Tamblyn lives with his family at No. 179 South Grant Street, in Wilkes- Barre. His place of business is at No. 16 South River Street.
WILLIAM JOSEPH PECK-One of the most influential men of the Wyoming Valley is William Joseph Peck, publisher, owner and editor of the Pittston "Dally Gazette." As controller of this worthy publication he is in a position to accomplish great good to the community; he owns to broad influence, and exercises it judicially, honestly, and effec- tively, for the general welfare. To write of his record is inspiring, and to reflect upon it is to realize an admiration for the man whom it concerns.
William Joseph Peck was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1874, eldest son of William H. and Arminda (Kyte) Peck. He attended the public schools of his native city, prepared for college in the School of the Lackawanna, and matriculated in Syracuse University, whence he was graduated in 1896, at the age of twenty-two years. with the classical degree, Bachelor of Arts. While a student in the university he acquired his first experience in journalistic work, as business manager of the college newspaper, although preparing for banking as his life's occupa- tion and working in a bank during his va- cation. From the time of his graduation until 1898, however, his experience was of another sort; as junior member of the firm of Millar & Peck, in the conduct of China Hall, selling china, glass and crockery at wholesale and retail, in Scranton. In this connection he learned much of business methods that has since been of practical use, and, incidentally, became expert in the mer- chandising and packing of chinaware. It was in August, 1898, that Mr. Peck came to Pitts- ton, and here joined the staff of the "Gazette," his father-in-law, the Hon. Theodorus Hart, having at that time been the paper's pub- lisher and owner. In December of the same year he was appointed deputy postmaster of Pittston, under Mr. Hart, and upon Mr. Hart's death became acting postmaster, in April, 1901. That same year he was commissioned postmaster in his own right, by President Mckinley: in 1902 was appointed for a full term, by President Roosevelt, and in 1906 was re-appointed by Mr. Roosevelt. Also, follow- ing the death of Mr. Hart, Mr. Peck became owner of the "Gazette," May 7, 1901. Here his natural taste for machinery came of real use, for it was necessary immediately to
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overhaul the printing plant, and to equip it with needed modern appliances. New ma- chines were installed, including linotypes and perfecting press. In 1909 he built the Gazette Building on Broad Street. This bulld- ing, for the exclusive use of the newspaper, is thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every respect. From the four-page paper of 1901 the "Gazette" increased in size and circula- tion, and the number of pages now (1930) varies between eight and sixteen daily. In publishing what is acknowledged to be one of the best newspapers in Northeastern Penn- sylvania, Mr. Peck takes a justified pride. Its typographical improvement is his constant study and determination, and a clean, whole- some newspaper upholding the best in American citizenship. The "Gazette's" edi- torial policy has been Republican since the founding of the party, and Mr. Peck, being a staunch Republican and loyal to the party's principles of government, gives through its columns a hearty support and guiding hand, quick to condemn wrongdoing within the ranks of Republicans as within those of Democrats. A large and completely outfitted commercial printing plant is conducted in conjunction with the paper.
Having inherited a strong love of nature, Mr. Peck at an early age displayed a great fondness for flowers, and when but a boy grew pansy plants for the market. His liking for floriculture has been manifest in recent years, at one time in the fine collection of pond lilies of varied sort and hue grown in a cement pool at his home at West Pittston. He is an enthusiastic amateur color photog- rapher and a member of the Garden Club of Wyoming Valley. He is an official member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of West Pittston. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Peck is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 233, Free and Accepted Masons, of Pittston; Keystone Consistory of Scranton, having at- tained the thirty-second degree; a member of Irem Temple, of Wilkes-Barre, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is affiliated with Washington Camp, No. 577, Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Pittston. He is a life member of the college fraternity Delta Upsilon, and a member of the New York Delta Upsilon Club, a member of the Wyoming Valley Historical Society, a member and past president of the New Eng- land Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the National Editorial Association, the Penn- sylvania Newspaper Publishers' Association, the American Newspaper Publishers' Associa- tion, and one of the incorporators and a president of the Fox Hill Country Club. Mr. Peck served as a delegate to the 1904 con- vention of the National Editorial Association, held in St. Louis, Missouri. He organized the Pittston Chapter of the American Red Cross, was its first president, and served for six years in this capacity. During his term of office the membership reached ten thousand. Mr. Peck takes a helpful and constructive interest in civic affairs; has headed various civic campaigns and is always ready to co- operate in every endeavor for the good of the city. He serves on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, the United Charities, Salvation Army, and the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, having been on the board of the last named organization for thirty years, and being head of the "Y" Boys Camp Committee and having a large part in the development of the splendid camp at Vosburg, along the
Susquehanna River. He is also a member of the Pittston Rotary Club.
William Joseph Peck married (first), Octo- ber 6, 1897, Lawson Dymond Hart, only child of the late Hon. Theodorus Hart, above men- tioned. To this union were born the follow- ing children: 1. Angela, born December 31, 1898, died January 3, 1899. 2. Mary Hart, born February 17, 1903, died August 3, 1905. 3. Theodorus Hart, born May 16, 1906; educated in Syracuse University and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, a graduate of the latter university with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and a certificate in Journal- ism, class of 1928, and now (1930) editor of the Monroe (Michigan) "Evening News." He married Helen Cleary, of Wyandotte, Michi- gan. Mr. Peck married (second), Mrs. Lottie Dennison Protheroe, of West Pittston, Penn- sylvania, the twelfth child of Richard Denni- son. Mrs. Peck has a son, Willard Dennison Protheroe, a graduate of Syracuse University. Mr. Peck maintains a town home at No. 220 Washington Street, West Pittston, while his summer home is at Peck's Orchards, in Mos- cow, Pennsylvania.
COLONEL FRANCK G. DARTE-As a coun- sellor at law Franck G. Darte, of Wilkes- Barre has achieved a worthy place among his fellow-members of the bar, while in mil- itary affairs he has patriotically served his State and Nation, notably during the Span- ish-American War, and in essential home service during the recent World War. But in financial and social affairs as well has he taken an outstanding part, and in every way he has gained the name of a good citizen.
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